The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-15
JULIA WARD HOWE
INSISTS THAT THE EXTENSION
OF THE SUFFRAGE
To Woman VIII BriBg a Larg err
knowledge Int0 Government
ard Better Society.
IooRREsroSDExoE or TEE APPEAL.


BosToN, MASS, May l3.-Auto-
cracy and aristocracy are only ad-
tournaments of democracy. There is
no higher appeal than to the con
science and intelligence of the hu-
man race; there is no higher object
than its dignity and advantage. De-
mocracy has no antagonists save the
enemies Of the human kind-the
ignorant or excessive tendencies
which lead men away from what is
wise and true and temperate. 1t
might be said: II wisdom must gov
ern, the few must govern. Yes; but
they must govern in the interest of
the many, and in order that they
may do this, the many must have a
voice in choosing them. But what
shall we say OF those who, having
made no careful study of these great
questions, rush into them with a vio-
lent passion, and ignorance of the
great principles that. govern, and
call up the spectacle of an
ignorant and brutal mob as a motive
for the denial OF he most sacred
human rights? | confess | am not
entirely disinterested in asking this
question. There is a strong move
ment today that aims at the crush
ing OF the aspirations of women to
the full rights of citizenship. Ii is
only that, and nothing more. WON
en- who ask for votes are met by the
hue aud cry; Voting by ignorant
women will overthrow society"
Voting by ignorant men has almost
done that already. The extension of
the suffrage for men has been sought
both here and in England, and has
been accomplished by statesmen OF
particularly philanthropic views.
They have done this in the interest
OF ignorance, and in order that the
ignorant might govern. These same
people, moreover, have ever shown
themselves jealous for the promotion
of education everywhere. Is it not
evident that in the extension of the
suffrage larger knowledge is
brought into government? And
can it be that those who oppose the
extension of the suffrage on the
ground of giving power to igoorant
classes are those ignorant of the prin-
ciples embodied in the government
under which they liver In the name
of common sense and justice, | pro-
test against that general cry which
lays the burden OF our social and pc
litical evils upon some supposed class
OF the community given over to the
interests of lie upon low and bru-
tai plane. Double the. ignorant
vote2 Rather let us tree ourselves
from it altogether" Yes, if we could
only find out where it is. That class
which has often shown its capacity
to lead is liable to put the immediate
gain or confidence in place OF the
substantial advantage, and to sacri-
fee the greater though more remote
good to the nearer and lesser gain,
You will remember that the wealth
and fashion Of Boston took no stock
in the notions of Mr., CARR
son and Wendell Phillips. The
question OF the franchise today
is as vital a question as any that ever
divided the opinions of the social
world !; yet in time of general meta
mOrphosis, we abide in our rut, like
the Bourbons of France, in the ac-
count given of them by Talleyraud.
We forget everything we should re.
member. Let us look at what the
change has been. Every male citi-
zen is now an efficient member of
the body polite. The relations of |
women to men have been wholly |
changed. But good men say TO
women, I'VE can neither help you
nor let you help yourselves, and they |
profess to do it in the interests of |
the law, order and good government. !
JULIA WARD EOWE